I am looking to outfit the PR Tribute PC with some brand new fast gear... I am a little outta the loop on the Core2 Duo boards (going to do ALOT of reading over the next couple weeks) and want to know what a couple good choices would be for a fast and overclocker-friendly motherboard that supports Core2 Duos (and extremes) as well as runs SLi. I am most likely going to go with x2 8800GTS.

Quote: Originally Posted by GlitterKill I am looking to outfit the PR Tribute PC with some brand new fast gear... I am a little outta the loop on the Core2 Duo boards (going to do ALOT of reading over the next couple weeks) and want to know what a couple good choices would be for a fast and overclocker-friendly motherboard that supports Core2 Duos (and extremes) as well as runs SLi. I am most likely going to go with x2 8800GTS.

Quite funny you should ask this as Necro, myself, and a few others were discussing the new chipsets in another thread this past few days since I am looking for a new board as well. Only difference is that SLI is optional for me.

For Intel SLI the best current board would be one based upon the nVidia 680i chipset such as the Asus Striker Extreme. This is the board that has it all and then some. However, some people say that the eVGA 680i board overclocks a little better.

Now if you are willing to wait, and beleive the rumors, the next Inte chipset out that gate called the X38 will support SLI. Boards based upon it are due out around the end of the month. If they come out in the time frame I need, I will get one whether it supports SLI or not, but SLI would be a nice bonus.

If you are willing to forgoe SLI then the best board is one based upon the Intel P35 chipset such as the Asus P5K3 or their Blitz Extreme which supports Crossfire and adds a water cooler to the wicked heat pipe setup they use to cool the chipset.

When I get home later I will go through this post and put in links, I'm just to lazy right now to do it and need to get back to work...

Well, I will need to order parts REALLY soon since the PC is scheduled to make an appearance at PDX Lan at the end of the month. I was going to go with SLi since I was going with x2 8800GTs cards. I have since changed my mind and am going to go with a single 8800GTX since it is about $60 cheaper (I can buy an extra HD that way) and then I will later get another 8800GTX when it is called for. I am planning on going with the Core2 Duo E6850 for the CPU and this eVGA board for the motherboard so far: Newegg.com - EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

That's the board I was thinking of going with until the thought occured to me that by the time I can afford another 8800GTX card, the 9xxxx series or whateve ris next will be out and 1 of those will be faster than 2 8800GTX....

And if you want I acutally orderd teh EK chipset block for that eVGA board from performance pcs, it should arrive tomorrow. I'll sell it to ya for what I paid plus shipping.

No thanks... I only ever bother to water cool the CPU. I have done NB and GPU cooling in the past and it is just too much of a PITA for the gains.

I've got the EVGA 680i SLI Deluxe mobo. It's an excellant C2D SLI mobo.
I'm sure Cpt.Planet will back me up on this. Here's a NewEgg link.
Newegg.com - EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
This is the A1 version which has enhancements for Quad Core OC'ing.
The T1 version is the original board and it's only slightly cheaper.

Edit: Now I see that you have already highlighted this mobo. I think
it's your best option still even without (2) 8800GTX's. It will be good
for future upgrades to Quad core CPU's and SLI, plus it's a very stable
board.

Quote: Originally Posted by GlitterKill No thanks... I only ever bother to water cool the CPU. I have done NB and GPU cooling in the past and it is just too much of a PITA for the gains.

I'll agree with you on the chipset cooling, but with the fans on most high end GPUs, the water cooling does a nice job of quieting it down.

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate I've got the EVGA 680i SLI Deluxe mobo. It's an excellant C2D SLI mobo. I'm sure Cpt.Planet will back me up on this. Here's a NewEgg link. Newegg.com - EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail This is the A1 version which has enhancements for Quad Core OC'ing. The T1 version is the original board and it's only slightly cheaper. Edit: Now I see that you have already highlighted this mobo. I think it's your best option still even without (2) 8800GTX's. It will be good for future upgrades to Quad core CPU's and SLI, plus it's a very stable board.

I agree with Slaymate on this. If you have to buy before the X38 boards are out, the EVGA 680i or Asus Striker Extreme are your best bets if you want to keep SLI as an option.

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate I've got the EVGA 680i SLI Deluxe mobo. It's an excellant C2D SLI mobo. I'm sure Cpt.Planet will back me up on this. Here's a NewEgg link. Newegg.com - EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail This is the A1 version which has enhancements for Quad Core OC'ing. The T1 version is the original board and it's only slightly cheaper. Edit: Now I see that you have already highlighted this mobo. I think it's your best option still even without (2) 8800GTX's. It will be good for future upgrades to Quad core CPU's and SLI, plus it's a very stable board.

I have the same board and it rocks..........

DFI 680i...
Newegg.com - DFI LP UT NF680I LT SLI-T2 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan DFI 680i... Newegg.com - DFI LP UT NF680I LT SLI-T2 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

You read my mind....

I second the DFI

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan DFI 680i... Newegg.com - DFI LP UT NF680I LT SLI-T2 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Thats hawt.

Seems to been moslty passed by because everyone is loving strikers. I don't know if these means its worse or not. Wouldn't have thought so though.

It is being dishonored from the asus fan wave.

But it is the best out...

CPU-Z Validator Database
Highest FSB reached with Intel Chip

CPU-Z Validator Database
2nd.

CPU-Z Validator Database
and last but not least third

check out that FSB, and as necro posted in the Intel discussion for 07-08 another person has made a over 600FSB


Its a nice board, I'll have a striker Extreme soon enough, and will probally pawn it for the DFI x38, if in fact its SLI...

Thats a Different board, DFI LANparty P35... But still a DFI! DFI X38 is going to be the place to be IMHO, Crossfire 2900XT is going to own with dual PCI-Express 16x.

Unfortunately, that would put the budget $100 over what I have. (the DFI board)

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan Thats a Different board, DFI LANparty P35... But still a DFI! DFI X38 is going to be the place to be IMHO, Crossfire 2900XT is going to own with dual PCI-Express 16x.

That will be nice, but you are too focused on those ATI cards, I'm a DFI fanboy, but GPU is whatever the best i can afford.

Sorry to hear about tat GK, it would be an awesome board.

Quote: Originally Posted by s1ugh34d That will be nice, but you are too focused on those ATI cards, I'm a DFI fanboy, but GPU is whatever the best i can afford.

Only focused on the best of the best!

BTW the difference between the NF68-A1 and the NF68-T1 is the warranty and the accessories that coem with them. A1 is full lifetime warranty with all accessories. Just make sure you registere within 30 days of purchase. The T1 is a limited 1 year warranty and comes with less sata cables and other accessories(no hard copy manual). Other than that they are the same board.

The old rev without the quad core overclocking updates are the NF68-AR,NF68-BR,NF68-TR,NF63-AR, NF63-TR. Hope that helps. If you have anymore questions on the EVGA products lemme know.

I'm and AMD man.. I like your style with the whole 8800GTS though they are real sexy